May in the Summer
WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY CHERIEN DABIS
99 minutes
Synopsis
To all appearances, MAY BRENNAN has it all -- intelligent, successful, the recipient of raves for her recently published book and set to marry her loving fiancé ZIAD, a distinguished New York scholar. But immediately upon returning to her familial hometown of Amman, Jordan for the wedding, the cracks in her seemingly perfect life begin to show. Her headstrong, born-again Christian mother NADINE disapproves of Ziad, a Muslim, firm in her decision to not attend the ceremony. Her sisters DALIA and YASMINE revert to behaving like rebellious teenagers. And her estranged father EDWARD, newly remarried, awkwardly attempts to make amends. Confronted with the wounds of her parent’s long-broken relationship, coupled with the unavoidable clash of old-world and modern values, May is lead to question the direction her life is taking. Soon, her once carefully structured world appears to unravel as she grapples with her own truths.
MAY IN THE SUMMER was written and directed by Cherien Dabis (AMREEKA), and stars Dabis, Alia Shawkat, Nadine Malouf, Ritu Singh Pande, Hiam Abbass and Bill Pullman. The film was produced by Dabis, Alix Madigan-Yorkin and Christopher Tricarico.
A DISPLACED PICTURES and ANONYMOUS CONTENT PRODUCTION
Produced in association with DOHA FILM INSTITUTE, DURGA ENTERTAINMENT PRODUCTIONS and WHITEWATER FILMS
This film was supported by the Sundance Institute Feature Film Program, with additional support from the Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art and the Sundance Institute/Time Warner Fellowship.